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New Bosch Sidewinder

Darin | Posted in Tools for Home Building on May 19, 2004 12:03pm

I was searching for a new sidewinder, my old PC has been dropped too many times to straighten out the base and it’s tough to get precise cuts.  Saw the new Bosch at a show and based on my experience with my Bosch SCMS and scroll saw, I decided that the Bosch was a good choice.

I am sorry to say that I am disappointed with the quality of cut.  The new carbon fiber (composite) base seems nice but it flexes when you slide it against a fence or framing square and you end up with cuts that are not plumb.  Anyone else notice the same thing.  I am wondering if I got a lemon or if it could be a design issue.  I am somewhat surprised since the engineers at Bosch have been putting out great products!

I will check out a couple other Bosch saws to see if I just got lucky!  Appreciate any other comments.  If I find out that there is a problem, I’d appreciate suggestions for a replacement for the old “PC” I might have to find a blacksmith to repair the old base!

 

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | May 19, 2004 02:24am | #1

    seems like OE to me..operater error..the saw guide is just that a guide, if yer leanin against it enough to flex the saw base, you didn't start out straight enough, and are steering the saw..

    no offense on yer style, just that I only use a guide rarely, and don't seem to have to bear real hard against it..

    View Image

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

    1. Darin | May 19, 2004 05:02am | #3

      Sphere,

      I agree a guide is only a guide, and I am more anal than most about trying to make every cut perfectly.  I do not think however, that I am leaning too hard against the guide (a swanson speed square) otherwise the square would move since I am holding it with my left hand.  It appears to me that the normal force required to push the saw (with a new sharp blade) is enought to cause the base to deflect and the result is a cross cut on 2X material that is 1/8" out of plumb.  Maybe this is OK, but I like my joints as tight as possible at least to start.

      Darin

      1. User avater
        Sphere | May 20, 2004 07:21pm | #4

        I agree, an eighth out is BAD..maybe they have a recall coming?

        I'd be looking for a homemade beef it up fix, if it were mine.

        good luck

        View Image

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

      2. Snort | May 21, 2004 12:49am | #5

        I like to cut with a guide, too. Unless you are actually seeing the base deflect, I doubt it is. I've had saws do the same thing, it was usually because the edge of the base and the blade weren't parallel. Has a tendency to happen after a fall. You can probably tweak the arm that rides the base up and down.

        Edited 5/20/2004 5:55 pm ET by bucksnort billy

  2. tyke | May 19, 2004 04:36am | #2

    I've replaced the base on my 6 1/2" skill wormdrive and on my 71/4" wd and it was really quite simple. Removal of a few fasteners and keys and there you go.is it rivted or something.

    Tyke

    just another day in paradise

    G.E. Ely Construction

    Ocracoke, NC

    1. Snort | May 21, 2004 12:53am | #6

      Hey Tyke,

      Mrs 'Snort just brought this back for me, she's a sweetie. Don't worry, we can fix that later!

      1. tyke | May 21, 2004 01:30pm | #9

        LOL ,

        I went to school with the owner of "####".

        Did Mrs. Snort see the lighthouse, I,m sure she did, ask her she went a little further and saw the church under construction. That's my baby.I get to build the cross to go in the squatty steeple.

        Tyke

        just another day in paradise

        G.E. Ely Construction

        Ocracoke, NC

        1. Snort | May 21, 2004 04:04pm | #11

          You guys got a lighthouse?!?! LOL

          We've got a friend who bought a house there. Makes us come down and work on it, no time for tourist stuff<G>

          I'll bet you've got to have a squatty steeple, even god's gotta lay low from those her-a-canes.

          You grillin' dolphin yet? Don't worry, we can fix that later!

  3. User avater
    dieselpig | May 21, 2004 01:06am | #7

    Was thinking of you today at work.

    I've had the new Bosch for a coupla months now myself.  While cutting 2X8's today I did a little test using my speed square for a guide.  The base will flex, however, I found that I had to push much harder than I normally would while cutting to get it to flex.  Hard enough that it drummed up images in my mind of the saw skipping over the edge of the square and into my hand!

    Dunno.  Maybe you're pushing too hard.  Or maybe you got a lemon.

    Unrelated side note:   Not so sure about having an electric tool without a cord.  I cut a one month old 12ga extension cord today.  Replacing a tool cord woulda been much cheaper than replacing an extension cord.  What an idiot!

    1. Darin | May 21, 2004 06:06am | #8

      Thanks diesel,

      You bring up a good point about the $25 12ga extension cord.  I must say I like the 25 footer and not having to look for an extension cord to plug in to the extension cord....

      I'll  make a few more test cuts, but in my case, I do not think I was applying any more pressure than is required just to stay up against the speed sqaure and to stay flat on the surface of the 2X.  I'll check it again, but too busy today to fuss around with a saw that won't cut square.  I noticed that besides the base flexing, the whole base bends at the point it is fixed to the saw motor housing.  I may be able to tighten that up a bit, but in general, I am not as impressed with this saw as I am with most of  the other Bosch tools that I own.  They usually get it right and think of everything when it comes to how the tools are used and how they should preform!

      Thanks for the feedback.  I'll let you know more next week, I'll play around with it over the weekend to see what is going on.

      Darin

         

    2. xMikeSmith | May 21, 2004 02:03pm | #10

      i bot the bosch 20 right after JLC.. everyone has used it and the verdict is in...

       it sucks... but it is intriguing..

       lot's of gadgets... but it don't cut straight... the blade plane is not parallel to the base edge

       and ..

       what's the triangular cut-out on the base for ?

      i'll keep it for rough framing and demo.. but it ain't going near my trim work... my PC's are superior in all respects

      bggut hey, whadda i no ?Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

      1. User avater
        dieselpig | May 22, 2004 01:07am | #12

        No kidding huh?

        That's two votes saying it's loser?

        Could mine be a loser too?  It did try to take a bite out of me awhile back........

        Come to think of it, I haven't cut any trim with it yet myself.  Used it to frame two PT decks......loved it.   And been using it to frame this addition I'm on now.  Still happy even after it bit my cord in half.

        But trim......gonna have to look a little closer at this saw now.

        The triangular cut out on the base is for.........uuhhhh.....?  There's a triangular cut out on the base?

        What have I been doing,  using this saw with my eyes closed?  Gotta get me some clear safety glasses I guess!

        1. CAGIV | May 22, 2004 06:29am | #13

          this discussion forced me to take a look at the saw when I was in the store tonight...

          didn't look for the triangle cut out, did notice the shoe looked a little on the weak side though..

          and diesel.... the saw didn't cut your cord... you did...

          ;)

          1. User avater
            dieselpig | May 22, 2004 03:24pm | #14

            Naw way man!   That saw cut the cord......I had nothing to do with it.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

          2. Darin | May 23, 2004 06:44am | #16

            Diesel,

            I think I'll pack it up & take it back.  Maybe trade it for the new Bosch boombox...at least my extension cords will be safe from the bite of the saw!

            I'll take a closer look at the Porter Cables and possibly the Dewalt, even though I don't own anything that is yellow..unless you count a few of my 50' extension cords!

            Thanks for the feedback.....I am always interested in the opinions here at FHB university!

            Darin

          3. User avater
            dieselpig | May 23, 2004 06:54am | #17

            I've always had good luck with the PC's as well.  No frills good performers.  Can't say much good about the Dewalt sidewinders though.  I'll leave it at that.

            Good luck!

          4. CAGIV | May 23, 2004 07:35am | #18

            don't buy the dewalt...

          5. billyg | May 24, 2004 07:17pm | #19

            The Milwaukee sidewinder is nice too -- with a replaceable cord!  ;-)

            Billy

  4. timkline | May 22, 2004 07:44pm | #15

    About 75 % of my tools are Bosch, but none are circ saws.  Bosch has never made a circular saw that was well designed.  They have traditionally been heavy with top mounted handles that were poorly located.

    after all these years, we keep on using our faithful DeWalt saws.  They are the only DeWalt tool we have other than the big mitre saws.

    carpenter in transition

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